Dual mode proximity sensor

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method for controlling an electronic device including receiving a signal through a light sensor of the device, identifying with a processor of the device whether the received signal originated from a light emitter of the device, and controlling a function of the device, the function selected based on whether the signal is identified as originating from the light emitter of the device or the light emitter separate from the device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document generally describes sensors in consumer electronicdevices.

BACKGROUND

Set-top boxes are commonly used for interfacing consumer devices withsatellite, cable, and Internet providers. Such set-top boxes can also beemployed to provide services such as Internet radio, electronictelevision programming, media streaming, and online gamingfunctionality. Each service generally provides integration between usersand digital data. Providing such integrative access to users has led theindustry to develop robust electronic products which enable users tointeract with services provided by such devices in a natural fashion.Similar functionality can also be provided in televisions themselves,and in various other consumer electronics devices, such as home theatreand stereo receivers, docking stations, and the like.

It is common to permit remote control of a consumer electronic deviceusing a handheld control that emits electromagnetic energy, such as apulsed infrared signal, sensing the signal at the device, andinterpreting the received signal to identify an action the device is totake, such as to change the channel of a tuner, or alter the volume of atelevision or stereo system.

SUMMARY

This document describes techniques for controlling an electronic device.In general, a sensor on a consumer electronic device can be positionedon the device to receive signals from an electronic remote control in afamiliar manner. An emitter of energy, such as an IR emitter, can belocated close to the sensor but positioned so that energy from theemitter does not normally impinge on the sensor. When a user moves anitem like their hand in front of the emitter and the sensor, the energycan reflect off the item and be sensed by the sensor. The device maythen be programmed to differentiate such energy sensed from the internaldevice emitter, as compared to energy sensed from a remote control, andmay perform an action that is different than actions that are performedin response to receiving signals from the remote control. For example,the “reflective” energy situation may be used to turn the device on oroff, or to mute it. Thus, if a user is watching television and thetelephone rings, but the user cannot find the remote control, the usercould simply pass her hand past the front of her home theatre receiveror her television in order to mute its sound. Other more complex actionsmay be triggered using the remote control (once the user has found it).

As an extension of this principle, a device may be provided withmultiple emitters and multiple sensors so that reflective control can beused for more than one action. For example, an emitter/sensor pair maybe placed in each of the lower corners of a television bezel, so thatplacing a hand or object in front of one corner mutes or unmutes thetelevision, and placing a hand or object in front of the other cornerturns the television on or off. In certain circumstances, a singleenergy generator may serve multiple emitters, such as by providing asingle LED in an A/V receiver, and guiding the light from the LED to twodifferent locations on the face of the receiver (both being adjacent toseparate IR sensors) via optical fibers.

The techniques and systems discussed here may, in appropriateimplementations, provide one or more technical advantages. For example,an electronic device may be controlled by two different modes. One suchmode (e.g., passing a hand past the device) may be simple with limitedapplicability while the other may be more complex but also more flexible(e.g., finding and using a remote control). In certain instances, suchcontrol may be provided with sensors and associated circuitry andsoftware that would have been provided with a device in any event so asto provide remote control functionality. Thus, the additionalfunctionality may be added to a design with minimal additional cost orneed for design. As a result, a buyer of such a device may be able toobtain improved interactivity and user experience with the device, usingintuitive interface concepts, and without much additional cost.

In one implementation, A computer-implemented method for controlling anelectronic device is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a signalthrough a light sensor of the device; identifying with a processor ofthe device whether the received signal originated from a light emitterof the device; and controlling a function of the device, the functionselected based on whether the signal is identified as originating fromthe light emitter of the device or from the light emitter that isseparate from the device. The method can also include decoding thereceived signal based on whether the signal is identified as originatingfrom the light emitter of the device or instead from a light emitterthat is separate from the device. Also, identifying can comprisedetermining whether or not a light reflection is received at an input ofthe light emitter of the device, and controlling a function of thedevice can comprise muting or unmuting sound that is caused by thedevice to be generated. In some aspects, controlling a function of thedevice comprises changing a television channel using the device.

In another implementation, an electronic device has an electroniccontrol system that comprises a light emitter that is part of theelectronic device; a light sensor that is part of the electronic device;and a controller in the electronic device that is programmed to obtainsignals from the light sensor and to select a function to be performedby the device, wherein selecting the function to be performed depends ona determination of whether an input to the light sensor was produced bythe light emitter. The light emitter can generate infrared light, andthe light sensor can comprise an infrared sensor. In addition, thecontroller can be programmed to determine that the input to the lightsensor was produced by the light emitter by determining that acharacteristic of the input matches one or more known characteristic forstandard infrared light emitters. Moreover, the output for the lightemitter can be located physically adjacent an input for the light sensorsuch that if a user physically covers the light emitter with a hand,light from the emitter will be reflected off the user to the input forthe light sensor. In certain aspects, the light emitter comprises alight emitting diode positioned and controlled to provide visualinformation to a user of the device, and to emit light to be detected bythe light sensor.

In yet other aspects, the light emitting diode is connected to a lightpipe that extends from the light emitting diode to a location where auser can view light form the light emitting diode. Also, the sensinglocation can comprise a location on the device where a user can place anobject to create a reflection of light from the light emitting diode tobe sensed by the light sensor. Moreover, a processor that receivesinformation form the light sensor can be programmed to distinguishbetween signals from two or more different electronic devices.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a conceptual diagram of an environment forcontrolling an electronic device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of an electronic device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a media device that can respond toproximity-based input in addition to remote control input

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing actions performed by a processor todetermine an origin for an input signal.

FIG. 5 is an example of a computer device and a mobile computer device.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, consumer electronics designers wish to ensure productsinteract in an expected manner when engaged by a user. Thus, themajority of electronic devices are designed to receive input signalsfrom one or more sources and to translate those input signals into anexpected output. The input can be entered by users or machines and anycorresponding output to such inputs can be provided as information,provided as an input to another entity, or stored for later use. Duringa design phase for electronic device conception, input mechanisms aregenerally contemplated by designers for purposes of designing a productwhich reacts in an expected manner.

Expected device output and/or device operation can be easily determinedfor responses to traditional input mechanisms such as remote controllerinput, switching device toggle input, press-button input, etc. Otherless traditional inputs for electronic devices, including but notlimited to human gesture input, haptic touch input, or wirelessnon-contact input are not as easily detected or translated into deviceoperation.

Designing products that allow a combination of detecting traditionalinput and detecting non-traditional input in one device may enable usersand designers more options for interfacing with such products in anatural way. Products can be designed to allow or disallow devicefunctionality based on which type of input is received on the device.Specifically, the input type can dictate how the product reacts to theuser or electronic input. For example, a stereo receiver, whichordinarily is designed to receive commands from a remote control, mayuse the same infrared sensor for detecting a remote control signal(i.e., function as a remote decoder) while also detecting a user'sproximity to the sensor. That is, the same sensor can be programmed todetermine whether a particular input is received from the remote controlor a user passing an object in front of the device near or on a touchsensor, for example, and thus reflecting light provided by an emitterthat is adjacent to the sensor.

Such a sensor can use one or both inputs to enable or disable specificfunctionality within the device. For example, using the stereo receiverdiscussed above, an infrared sensor on the receiver can detect that auser is proximate to the receiver or a sensor on the receiver and maymute the stereo receiver upon detecting the user's proximity. Therefore,in addition to receiving commands from a remote controller at a sensor,for example, the stereo receiver may detect when a user is proximate tothe device and can enable or disable specific functionality based on theproximity using the same sensor.

Advantageously, the described systems in this disclosure may provide forone or more benefits, such as enabling users to interact with devicesensors using multiple input mechanisms. These are some illustrativeexamples of how electronic products may interact with a received sensorinput. Many different features can be realized using sensors and sensorinput, and those described above are not limiting to the scope of whatis described below.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a conceptual diagram of an environment 100for controlling an electronic device 102. Although the electronic device102 is depicted external to a television 106, the device 102 can beintegrated as a portion of the television 106. As such, traditionaltelevision components can be utilized by device 102, in someimplementations.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the environment 100A includes a user 104 in theforeground interacting with the electronic device 102 and with thetelevision 106 (which is another form of electronic device) in thebackground, via remote control 108. The user 104 can use the remotecontrol 108 to control the electronic device 102. For example, the user104 can select volume controls, channel controls, or other controls tocause the device 102 to execute functionality within device 102 or ontelevision 106. The user can alternatively or simultaneously use theremote control 108 to control the television 106. As one example, theremote control 108 may be a programmable remote control that sends asignal on which the television 106 acts when a volume button is pressed,and sends a signal on which the device 102 acts when a channel button ispressed.

The electronic device 102 includes a sensor 110 and a light emitter,such as a light emitting diode (LED) 112. The sensor 110 may generallybe located beside the emitter (which may be the LED 112 itself or alocation at which light from the LED is otherwise emitted) when viewedfrom the front of the device 102. The sensor 110 can also be located inline with the LED 112. For example, the sensor 110 can be locateddirectly behind the LED 112. However, in normal operation the sensor andemitter should be located, aimed, and shielded in a manner so that thesensor 110 does not trigger absent a physical, proximate userinteraction with the device 102, such as by a user swiping a hand orother item in front of the emitter and the sensor 110 so as to causelight from the emitter to reflect off the item and be received by thesensor 110.

In general, the sensor 110 can detect a sub-carrier signal absence orpresence based on infrared light rays bounced between objects and theLED 112, for example. Although only one sensor and LED are shown here,any appropriate number of sensors and/or LEDs can be implemented inelectronic device 102. In addition, the sensors and LEDs can be arrangedon device 102 in such a fashion as to monitor for several inputs at once(e.g., a user swiping an item in proximity to different locations on thedevice 102).

Other sensors can be implemented in electronic device 102. For example,a microphone device can be adaptively configured to sense a user'sspeech input or to reactively adjust a volume depending on detectednoise within a room. In another example, an LED and sensor combinationcan be used to adapt to lighting changes in the room upon detecting roomdarkening or brightening. Using such additional sensors, a user canprovide a combination input to the device 102. For example, a user mayswipe her hand past sensor 110 in order to turn on voice inputrecognition for the device 102, and may subsequently speak additionalcommands to the device 102.

In some implementations, the electronic device 102 can be implemented asa stereo receiver connected to a sound system (not shown) and/or thetelevision 106. In some implementations, the electronic device 102 isconfigured as a set-top box (e.g., a cable or satellite box) with one ormore processors controlling output on the television 106. In someimplementations, the electronic device 102 is configured as a gamingconsole for streaming video, playing games online, or otherwiseaccessing online resources.

In operation, the electronic device 102 can receive input in a varietyof ways. For example, the electronic device 102 may have buttons, touchsensors, and switches that a user can activate manually by pressing,switching or moving such mechanisms. In some implementations, theelectronic device 102 may be configured to receive commands from aremote controller, such as remote controller 108.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, an environment 100B is shown with the user 104near the electronic device 102. In particular, the user 104 has moved upto the electronic device 102 and is shown leaning toward television 106while placing a hand in front of device 102. (The user's left arm isshown in dashed form to indicate that the two actions could be performedseparately, with sensors being located in only one of the devices,sensors in both devices but the user choosing to perform an action bycoming in proximity with only one of the devices, or sensors in bothdevices but the sensors triggering different actions by the devices sothat the user might have to come into proximity with sensors on bothdevices). Here, the electronic device 102 can detect the user'sproximity to device 102 and interpret the detection as a specific inputto sensor 110 and LED 112, for example. The specific input can betranslated into a function which can be carried out on electronic device102.

Detecting proximity of a user can include determining whether or not alight reflection is received at an input of the light emitter (e.g., LED112) of the device. In particular, light from LED 112 can be detected atthe sensor 110 if an item controlled by the user is placed within ashort range of the electronic device 102. For example, the electronicdevice 102 can monitor input received at LED 112 for various types ofreceived light (e.g., particular wavelengths, pulsing patterns, or thelike), determine whether the received light is indicative or a generatorin a remote control or a generator in the electronic device 102 itself,and react according to predetermined rules of which the user is aware(e.g., a hand swipe past a particular area results in a particularaction when the device 102 is in a particular mode).

The electronic device may also determine an approximate distance betweenthe item controlled by the user, and the electronic device 102, and canuse the determined distance as a guide for which, if any functions toenable, disable, or perform. For example, the user 104 can place a handor digit near the sensor 110 and the device 102 can detect that theinput originated from the LED 112 rather than a remote controller. Thedevice 102 can then perform a function based on the detection. Forexample, the electronic device 102 can execute a mute function or anunmute function of the volume functionality upon determining the user isproximate to the sensor 110 (e.g., a touch sensor) representing volumecontrol. Each such separate activity of sensing can toggle the functionalso, so that a first hand swipe mutes an operating device 102, and asubsequent swipe unmutes it. In some implementations, a sensing activitycan toggle an operating state of the electronic device 102. For example,upon sensing a user's nearness to sensor 110, device 102 may toggle froma playback state having content streaming and being presented to theuser to a paused playback state with a freeze frame. This state can bemaintained until user interaction with a sensed movement and/or uponreceiving a remote control signal to change the operating state of thedevice.

In another example, the electronic device 102 can switch a mode ofoperation of the device 102 based on whether the signal is identified asoriginating from at least one LED on the device 102. Similarly, theelectronic device 102 can detect that a remote controller originated asignal received at sensor 110 and can provide different functionalitybased on the detection. In some implementations, the electronic device102 can simply change a channel on the device 102 upon determining wherea particular input signal originated.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a top perspective view of an electronic device 202is depicted. The electronic device 202 includes an emitter 206 connectedvia a light pipe 210 to an LED 204 that is mounted on a circuit board208. The circuit board 208 also provides a connection to one or moremicroprocessors, any or all of which can be used to carry out functionsand algorithms which employ signals that are received by the device 202.

Separately, a sensor (not shown) may be placed adjacent to the emitter206 (which may simply be a lens at the end of the light pipe 210, or inother embodiments could be an LED mounted at the face of the electronicdevice 202). The sensor may be connected to circuitry on the circuitboard 208 also, so that when the sensor receives an input signal (e.g.,an IR signal containing certain digital data), the input IR (or otherelectromagnetic signal) may be converted to a wired electrical signaland provided to a processor on the circuit board 208 for analysis andprocessing.

In some implementations, LED 204 is connected to the light pipe 210extending from a viewing location (in front of 206) to the LED 204 lightsource. In some implementations, the emitter 206 can be located adjacentan input for the light sensor such that if a user physically covers thelight emitter 206 with a single finger or hand, light from the emitterwill be reflected off the user to the input for the light sensor. Insome implementations, standing directly in front of the sensing locationmay be enough to trigger a reflection back to the sensor.

The emitter 206 in this example is shown with a user's hand 212 near theemitter 206, so that an adjacent sensor can detect proximity of theuser's hand 212 (i.e., having a small distance from the device 102), asshown by the emanating electromagnetic waves. In some implementations,the emitter 206 is positioned and controlled to provide visualinformation to a user of the device 202, and to emit light to bedetected by the light sensor.

The sensor can be a proximity sensor, such as a sensor that includes oneor more light emitting diodes connected to a phototransistor in serieswith a power circuit, and thus may include both the emitter and thesensor in one package. In operation of the sensor, voltage is applied tothe proximity sensor which in turn emits infrared light. The emittedlight propagates through air until it dissipates or bounces off anobject. Upon bouncing off of an object, such as a person, thepropagating light is reflected back toward the sensor. If the object orperson is relatively close to the sensor, the reflected light will bestronger than if the object is further away. Conversely, if the objector person is far away, the reflected light will be weaker ornon-existent. However, if the reflected light provides a strongreflection, the proximity sensor will be activated. Upon activation ofthe proximity sensor, a corresponding signal will be sent to an outputterminal, such as a remote controller. The output terminal can be usedto activate any number of functions on electronic device 202 using thereceived signal.

In operation, the sensor and the LED can be used in an off positionwhile monitoring incoming signals. Upon receiving a signal, thecombination of the sensor and the LED can function as a dual modeproximity sensor to detect a source of a received input. For example,processors on device 202 can employ standard sensors and LEDs to triggerexecution of system functions without modifying the hardware of device202. Essentially, processors on device 202 can be configured withsoftware to provide control of standard off-the-shelf hardware. Inparticular, such processors can be programmed to determine which of twoor more input sources provided a signal. The determination can be usedto change how the device 202 responds to different inputs.

In some implementations, a number of processors can function tocoordinate control of the electronic device 202. For example, the sensorand LED can be controlled by separate processors that function togetherto coordinate control of the electronic device 202.

In some implementations, multiple LEDs can be deployed on electronicdevice 202, any or all of which can be controlled by one or moreprocessors. For example, the sensor may be a light sensor to detect twoor more input signals received at different frequencies, attached to aprocessor that is programmed to react differently to inputs at thedifferent frequencies. The light sensors may be controlled by a singleprocessor, in some implementations, such that if the sensor detects aninfrared frequency that is standard for a remote controller device, afirst processor can detect such a frequency and perform operationsaccordingly. Additional processors can be programmed to detect differentfrequencies outputted by other input devices. Alternatively, a singleprocessor may be provided and different software subroutines may beexecuted based on the type of signal (e.g., reflection versus remotecontroller) that is received.

Referring to FIG. 2B, an electronic device 214 is shown with multipleLEDs 226and 228. LED 226 is connected to circuit board 220, and feeds acombination emitter/sensor 216 via light pipe 222. Similarly, LED 228 isconnected to circuit board 220, and feeds a combination emitter/sensor218 via light pipe 224. Each LED 226, 228 may be connected tocorresponding emitter/sensors 216 and 218, respectively. In someimplementations, LED devices 226, 228 can be connected to a single LEDthat provides light for both emitter/sensors 216, 218.

The electronic device 214 can be configured to trigger particularfunctionality depending on where a user provides input. For example, ifa user blocks emitter/sensor 218 with a hand, a corresponding action maybe triggered to carry out device functionality. For example, blocking orpartially occluding emitter/sensor 218 can indicate that the user wishesto mute or unmute audio playback on the device 214. By contrast, if theuser were to block or partially occlude emitter/sensor 216, the device214 may interpret that the user wishes to carry out another task such asswitching a wireless Internet connection on or off. Both emitter/sensors216, 218 can be used for these separate functions upon detectingproximity and can do so simultaneously. In addition, the emitter/sensors216, 218 can be used to execute different device functions based on thetype of received input. For example, if one or both LEDs detects aremote controller input, rather than a manually entered input or asensed proximity input, the processors on the electronic device can beprogrammed to perform a different function of the device unrelated toremote control signal input.

In some implementations, the electronic device 214 includesscreen-printed overlays near the emitter/sensors 216, 218 to indicate aparticular function of the device 214 that will be performed based onbringing an item in proximity to those areas. For example, a volumesignal may be placed next to emitter/sensor 216 and a power signal maybe placed next to emitter/sensor 218. The screen printed overlays can,in some implementations, indicate a sensor position so the userunderstands how to interact with the sensors on the device 214.

In some implementations, one LED device may include a proximity sensorto detect the closeness of a user. If a particular threshold is met, thesensor can trigger the electronic device 214 to toggle an on/off switch.That is, the sensor can be configured to detect a presence near anelectronic device and turn on the device upon detecting such a presence(and upon the reflection of light reaching a threshold level, so thatthe device 214 does not trigger via casual motion around it, such as auser walking past the device 214).

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a media device 302 that can respond toproximity-based input in addition to remote control input. As shown, themedia device 302 includes a microprocessor 304, a network interface 306,a media streamer 308, sensors 310, light emitting diodes (LEDs) 312,tuning circuitry 314, and a decoder 316. The microprocessor 304 is acontroller that can be programmed to obtain signals from a light sensor(e.g., sensors 310) and determine whether an input to the light sensorwas produced by a light emitter (e.g., LED 312) or from a differentlight emitter that is not part of the electronic device. In addition,the microprocessor 304 controls system functions, interacts with thenetwork interface 306 and organizes the output of display and audio fromthe media device 302. In some implementations, the microprocessor 304 isprogrammed to determine that an input to one or more light sensor (e.g.,sensors 310) was produced by a light emitter that is not part of themedia device 302. For example, the microprocessor 304 can determine thata characteristic of the received input matches one or more knowncharacteristics for a standard infrared remote controller. Similarly,the microprocessor 304 can determine that a characteristic of thereceived input matches one or more known characteristics for a standardinfrared light emitter, for example. The microprocessor 304 can use thematched characteristic in either event to process the signal and carryout appropriate device functions.

The media streamer 308 provides one or more sequences of computerexecutable instructions for performing various functions for the mediadevice 302. As is typical, the instructions may be stored on anonvolatile memory of the media device 302 in, for example, a hard disk,flash memory, repository 318, or firmware of media device 302.Alternatively, instructions may be read by the media device 302 from aremovable non-volatile computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a Blu-rayDisc). In some implementations, all or a portion of instructions forproviding media streamer 308 media content can be received over datanetwork 320 via network interface 306.

The network interface 306 and data network 320 may be represented by anEthernet port configured to couple the media device 302 to a router,hub, DSL modem, or cable modem. In some implementations, the combinationof the network interface 306 and the data network 320 may be representedby an Ethernet port configured to couple the media device 302 to awireless access point, hotspot, or another source of audiovisual programdata.

The sensors 310 can include one or more light sensors coupled to themicroprocessor 304. In some implementations, the sensors 310 representinfrared sensors. The infrared sensors in device 302 can be lightsensors configured to determine object or user proximities. Othersensors can be present on electronic device 102.

The tuner circuitry 314 can include a number of components to convertradio frequency transmissions into audio and video signals. For example,the tuner circuitry 314 can include a tuner (not shown), a detector (notshown), an amplifier (not shown), or other tuning components. The tunercircuitry 314 can be deployed as part of the media device 302 or in someimplementations; such circuitry can be deployed as part of a connecteddevice, such as a television. In some implementations, tuner circuitry314 can include a radio tuner for tuning radio broadcasts.

The decoder 316 may include any appropriate combination of subcomponentssuch as a buffer for queuing data in an audio/video stream file, ade-multiplexer for de-multiplexing data in the stream file into separateelementary audio and video streams, and an audio decoder and a videodecoder for decompressing audio and video streams respectively.

Local storage 318 generally includes a hard disk or flash memory forstoring files; including playlists, user data, and audio/video streamfiles downloaded from data network 320 by the media device 302.

The environment 300 is configured to receive user input from one or moreinput devices 322. Input devices 322 can include, but are not limitedto, remote controllers, hard-wired controllers, and/or physical contact(e.g., user touch or sensed presence). In operation, sensors 310 canreceive input from input device 322 and microprocessor 304 can translatethe received input into executable functions. For example, an input orinput signal can be received at a sensor 310, processed bymicroprocessor 304 and may result in an event notification to a programor process executing instructions included in media streamer 308.

Input received from input device 322 can be outputted to a displaydevice 324 and an audio device 326. In some implementations,microprocessor 304, decoder 316, and/or tuning circuit 314 can performoperations on the input before producing output to display device 324and audio device 326.

In operation, a signal is received from an input device 322. The signalcan be received through a light sensor, such as sensor 310 on device302, and processed by the microprocessor 304. For example, an input froma remote controller device can be received through the sensor 310 andprocessed by the microprocessor 304. The processing may includeidentifying whether the received signal originated from a light emitterof the device, such as LED 312 or from a light emitter that is separatefrom the device, such as a remote controller. Upon determining whichdevice provided the input signal, the environment 300 can control afunction of the media device 302. The controlled function can beselected by the microprocessor 304 based on whether the signal isidentified as originating from the light emitter of the device or thelight emitter separate from the device. The particular function can becarried out using tuner circuitry 314, media streamer 308, decoder 316,local storage 318, and/or network resources via network interface 306,for example. Any output generated by the controlled function can beprovided at display device 324 and/or audio device 326.

In some implementations, the processing may include decoding a receivedsignal based on whether the signal is identified as originating from thelight emitter of the device or the light emitter that is separate fromthe device. For example, if it is determined that the signal originatedfrom the light emitter of the device, the microprocessor 304 can enablethe decoder 316 to expect the signal at a particular frequency. If,however, it is determined that the signal originated from the lightemitter of a remote device, for example, the microprocessor 304 canenable the decoder 316 to expect a signal at a different frequency.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 400 showing actions performed by a processor(e.g., microprocessor 304) to determine an origin for an input signaland to act on the signal. In general, the flowchart 400 shows actionsmade by one or more processors in an electronic product in response tosensing circuitry, as described above. At box 402, the processormonitors input to a sensor. For example, the processor can monitor asignal from a user or external device to a light sensor on theelectronic device.

At some point, the processor receives and analyzes input, at box 404.For example, the processor receives a signal through the light sensor310 on the electronic device, such as media device 302. In someimplementations, the received signal is a touch input at the electronicdevice, which is sensed by receiving light at a particular frequency(that matches a frequency of light emitted by a part of the device). Insome implementations, the received signal is an infrared remotecontroller signal received at the electronic device. In some electronicdevices, the signal received is a wirelessly transmitted signaltransmitted from an external device to the electronic device.

Upon receiving the input, the processor determines whether or not theinput was originated from a light emitter 312 of the electronic deviceor from a light emitter that is separate from the device (e.g., a remotecontroller). For example, the processor identifies whether the receivedsignal originated from an LED (e.g., light emitter) 312 of theelectronic device or from a remote controller external to the device.

If the processor determines that the input was originated from the lightemitter 312 of the electronic device, the processor determines whichfunction is controlled by the received signal, at box 408. For example,a sensor 310 on the electronic device 302 can detect that a user placeda hand near the LED light emitter 312. The device may be programmed torespond to the received input by muting or unmuting audio for atelevision, for example.

Upon determining that the signal input was provided by a user'sproximity and determining which function is controlled by the type ofreceived input, the processor executes the function, at box 410. In someimplementations, determining that the signal input was provided by auser's input includes decoding the received signal at the LED device. Insome implementations, the processor can select a function to beperformed based upon whether an input to the light sensor was producedby the light emitter.

If the processor determines that the input originated from a remotecontroller, the processor interprets the received input as remotecontroller input, at box 412, by decoding the received remote controllersignal at the LED device 312, for example. Next, the processor performsthe function requested by the remote controller, at box 414. Forexample, the processor performs a channel change or a movie selection asindicated by user-entered input on the remote controller. In general,the function performed when an input signal is received from a remotecontroller is a different function than the function performed when auser proximity or touch input is received by the electronic deviceregardless of whether the same sensor mechanism and/or light emittingmechanism were used to interpret the input signal.

In some implementations, the processor can implement a switching of amode of operation of the electronic device based on whether the signalis identified as originating from the LED (e.g., light emitter) of thedevice or from the remote controller. For example, the processor canswitch the mode of operation from an on position to an off position if asignal is received from a remote controller at sensor 310 of theelectronic device 302. However, if a signal is instead received at thesensor 310 from a touch input near the device 302, the processor canswitch from a non-muted mode to a muted mode instead of turning on oroff the device. Thus, the system can react to the user's environment ina more desirable manner using the same sensing hardware alreadyavailable on the device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of computing devices 500, 550 that may be usedto implement the systems and methods described in this document, aseither a client or as a server or plurality of servers. Computing device500 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such aslaptops, desktops, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers,blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. Computingdevice 550 is intended to represent various forms of mobile devices,such as personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, smartphones,and other similar computing devices. Additionally computing device 500or 550 can include Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drives. The USBflash drives may store operating systems and other applications. The USBflash drives can include input/output components, such as a wirelesstransmitter or USB connector that may be inserted into a USB port ofanother computing device. The components shown here, their connectionsand relationships, and their functions, are meant to be exemplary only,and are not meant to limit implementations of the inventions describedand/or claimed in this document.

Computing device 500 includes a processor 502, memory 504, a storagedevice 506, a high-speed interface 508 connecting to memory 504 andhigh-speed expansion ports 510, and a low speed interface 512 connectingto low speed bus 514 and storage device 506. Each of the components 502,504, 506, 508, 510, and 512, are interconnected using various busses,and may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners asappropriate. The processor 502 can process instructions for executionwithin the computing device 500, including instructions stored in thememory 504 or on the storage device 506 to display graphical informationfor a GUI on an external input/output device, such as display 516coupled to high speed interface 508. In other implementations, multipleprocessors and/or multiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along withmultiple memories and types of memory. Also, multiple computing devices500 may be connected, with each device providing portions of thenecessary operations (e.g., as a server bank, a group of blade servers,or a multi-processor system).

The memory 504 stores information within the computing device 500. Inone implementation, the memory 504 is a volatile memory unit or units.In another implementation, the memory 504 is a non-volatile memory unitor units. The memory 504 may also be another form of computer-readablemedium, such as a magnetic or optical disk.

The storage device 506 is capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing device 500. In one implementation, the storage device 506 maybe or contain a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk device,a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a tape device, a flashmemory or other similar solid state memory device, or an array ofdevices, including devices in a storage area network or otherconfigurations. A computer program product can be tangibly embodied inan information carrier. The computer program product may also containinstructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such asthose described above. The information carrier is a computer- ormachine-readable medium, such as the memory 504, the storage device 506,or memory on processor 502.

The high speed controller 508 manages bandwidth-intensive operations forthe computing device 500, while the low speed controller 512 manageslower bandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of functions isexemplary only. In one implementation, the high-speed controller 508 iscoupled to memory 504, display 516 (e.g., through a graphics processoror accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports 510, which may acceptvarious expansion cards (not shown). In the implementation, low-speedcontroller 512 is coupled to storage device 506 and low-speed expansionport 514. The low-speed expansion port, which may include variouscommunication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet)may be coupled to one or more input/output devices, such as a keyboard,a pointing device, a scanner, or a networking device such as a switch orrouter, e.g., through a network adapter.

The computing device 500 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as astandard server 520, or multiple times in a group of such servers. Itmay also be implemented as part of a rack server system 524. Inaddition, it may be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptopcomputer 522. Alternatively, components from computing device 500 may becombined with other components in a mobile device (not shown), such asdevice 550. Each of such devices may contain one or more of computingdevice 500, 550, and an entire system may be made up of multiplecomputing devices 500, 550 communicating with each other.

Computing device 550 includes a processor 552, memory 564, aninput/output device such as a display 554, a communication interface566, and a transceiver 568, among other components. The device 550 mayalso be provided with a storage device, such as a microdrive or otherdevice, to provide additional storage. Each of the components 550, 552,564, 554, 566, and 568, are interconnected using various buses, andseveral of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or inother manners as appropriate.

The processor 552 can execute instructions within the computing device550, including instructions stored in the memory 564. The processor maybe implemented as a chipset of chips that include separate and multipleanalog and digital processors. Additionally, the processor may beimplemented using any of a number of architectures. For example, theprocessor 410 may be a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computers)processor, a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) processor, or aMISC (Minimal Instruction Set Computer) processor. The processor mayprovide, for example, for coordination of the other components of thedevice 550, such as control of user interfaces, applications run bydevice 550, and wireless communication by device 550.

Processor 552 may communicate with a user through control interface 558and display interface 556 coupled to a display 554. The display 554 maybe, for example, a TFT (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display)display or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, or otherappropriate display technology. The display interface 556 may compriseappropriate circuitry for driving the display 554 to present graphicaland other information to a user. The control interface 558 may receivecommands from a user and convert them for submission to the processor552. In addition, an external interface 562 may be provide incommunication with processor 552, so as to enable near areacommunication of device 550 with other devices. External interface 562may provide, for example, for wired communication in someimplementations, or for wireless communication in other implementations,and multiple interfaces may also be used.

The memory 564 stores information within the computing device 550. Thememory 564 can be implemented as one or more of a computer-readablemedium or media, a volatile memory unit or units, or a non-volatilememory unit or units. Expansion memory 574 may also be provided andconnected to device 550 through expansion interface 572, which mayinclude, for example, a SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) cardinterface. Such expansion memory 574 may provide extra storage space fordevice 550, or may also store applications or other information fordevice 550. Specifically, expansion memory 574 may include instructionsto carry out or supplement the processes described above, and mayinclude secure information also. Thus, for example, expansion memory 574may be provide as a security module for device 550, and may beprogrammed with instructions that permit secure use of device 550. Inaddition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards, alongwith additional information, such as placing identifying information onthe SIMM card in a non-hackable manner.

The memory may include, for example, flash memory and/or NVRAM memory,as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product istangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer programproduct contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or moremethods, such as those described above. The information carrier is acomputer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 564, expansionmemory 574, or memory on processor 552 that may be received, forexample, over transceiver 568 or external interface 562.

Device 550 may communicate wirelessly through communication interface566, which may include digital signal processing circuitry wherenecessary. Communication interface 566 may provide for communicationsunder various modes or protocols, such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, orMMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others.Such communication may occur, for example, through radio-frequencytransceiver 568. In addition, short-range communication may occur, suchas using a Bluetooth, WiFi, or other such transceiver (not shown). Inaddition, GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver module 570 mayprovide additional navigation- and location-related wireless data todevice 550, which may be used as appropriate by applications running ondevice 550.

Device 550 may also communicate audibly using audio codec 560, which mayreceive spoken information from a user and convert it to usable digitalinformation. Audio codec 560 may likewise generate audible sound for auser, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset of device 550. Suchsound may include sound from voice telephone calls, may include recordedsound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) and may also includesound generated by applications operating on device 550.

The computing device 550 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, as shown in the figure. For example, it may be implemented as acellular telephone 580. It may also be implemented as part of asmartphone 582, personal digital assistant, or other similar mobiledevice.

Various implementations of the systems and techniques described here canbe realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry,specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits),computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof.These various implementations can include implementation in one or morecomputer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processor, whichmay be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storagesystem, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications or code) include machine instructions for a programmableprocessor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural and/orobject-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machinelanguage. As used herein, the terms “machine-readable medium”“computer-readable medium” refers to any computer program product,apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory,Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructionsand/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readablemedium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal.The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to providemachine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniquesdescribed here can be implemented on a computer having a display device(e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor)for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user can provideinput to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to theuser can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The systems and techniques described here can be implemented in acomputing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a dataserver), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an applicationserver), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a client computerhaving a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a usercan interact with an implementation of the systems and techniquesdescribed here), or any combination of such back end, middleware, orfront end components. The components of the system can be interconnectedby any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., acommunication network). Examples of communication networks include alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), peer-to-peernetworks (having ad-hoc or static members), grid computinginfrastructures, and the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

Although a few implementations have been described in detail above,other modifications are possible. In addition, the logic flows depictedin the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequentialorder, to achieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, orsteps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other componentsmay be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly,other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for controlling anelectronic device, the method comprising: receiving a signal through alight sensor of the electronic device; identifying with a processor ofthe electronic device whether the received signal originated from alight emitter that is part of the electronic device or instead from alight emitter that is not part of the electronic device, whereinidentifying the signal origination comprises determining a propagationstrength and a frequency of the received signal, and comparing thepropagation strength and the frequency to known characteristics for: (i)the light emitter that is part of the electronic device and (ii) thelight emitter that is not part of the electronic device; and controllinga function of the electronic device, the function selected based atleast in part on whether the signal is identified as originating fromthe light emitter that is part of the electronic device or instead fromthe light emitter that is not part of the electronic device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: decoding the received signalbased on whether the signal is identified as originating from the lightemitter that is part of the electronic device or instead from a lightemitter that is not part of the electronic device.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the identifying further comprises determining whetheror not a light reflection is received at an input of the light emitterof the electronic device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein controllinga function of the electronic device comprises muting or unmuting soundthat is caused by the electronic device.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein controlling a function of the device comprises changing atelevision channel using the electronic device.
 6. An electronic devicehaving an electronic control system, the electronic control systemcomprising: a light emitter that is part of the electronic device; alight sensor that is part of the electronic device; and a controller inthe electronic device that is programmed to obtain signals from thelight sensor and to select a function to be performed by the electronicdevice, wherein selecting the function to be performed depends on adetermination of whether an input to the light sensor was produced bythe light emitter that is part of the electronic device or instead froma light emitter that is not part of the electronic device; wherein thedetermination of whether the input to the light sensor was produced bythe light emitter that is part of the electronic device or instead fromthe light emitter that is not part of the electronic device comprisesdetermining a propagation strength and a frequency of the obtainedsignals, and comparing the propagation strength and the frequency toknown characteristics for: (i) the light emitter that is part of theelectronic device and (ii) the light emitter that is not part of theelectronic device.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the light emitterthat is part of the electronic device generates infrared light, and thelight sensor comprises an infrared sensor.
 8. The system of claim 6,wherein the controller is programmed to determine that the input to thelight sensor was produced by the light emitter that is part of theelectronic device by determining that a characteristic of the inputmatches one or more known characteristic for standard infrared lightemitters.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein an output for the lightemitter that is part of the electronic device is located physicallyadjacent an input for the light sensor such that if a user physicallycovers the light emitter with a hand, light from the emitter will bereflected off the user to the input for the light sensor.
 10. The systemof claim 6, wherein the light emitter that is part of the electronicdevice comprises a light emitting diode positioned and controlled toprovide visual information to a user of the electronic device, and toemit light to be detected by the light sensor.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the light emitting diode is connected to a light pipe thatextends from the light emitting diode to a location where a user canview light from the light emitting diode.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the sensing location comprises a location on the electronicdevice where a user can place an object to create a reflection of lightfrom the light emitting diode to be sensed by the light sensor.
 13. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein a processor that receives information fromthe light sensor is programmed to distinguish between signals from twoor more different electronic devices.
 14. A computer-implemented methodfor controlling an electronic device, the method comprising: monitoring,with a processor of the electronic device, a signal sensed by a lightsensor of the electronic device; receiving a first signal and a secondsignal through the light sensor; identifying that the first signaloriginated from a light emitter that is part of the electronic deviceand the second signal originated from a remote controller whereinidentifying the originations comprises determining a propagationstrength and a frequency of the first and the second received signals,and comparing the propagation strengths and the frequencies to knowncharacteristics for: (i) the light emitter that is part of theelectronic device and (ii) a light emitter that is part of the remotecontroller; and selecting respective functions to perform in response toreceiving the first signal and the second signal, based on identifyingoriginations of the signals.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein theidentifying comprises decoding the received signal.
 16. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the first signal is generated by reflection off anitem placed by a user of the device so as to reflect light from thelight emitter to the sensor.
 17. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising decoding the first and second signals based on whether therespective signal is identified as originating from the light emitter ofthe device or from the remote controller.
 18. A system comprising: oneor more processors and one or more storage devices storing instructionsthat are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to causethe one or more processors to perform operations comprising: receiving asignal through a light sensor of the electronic device; identifying witha processor of the electronic device whether the received signaloriginated from a light emitter that is part of the electronic device orinstead from a light emitter that is not part of the electronic device,wherein identifying the signal origination comprises determining apropagation strength and a frequency of the received signal, andcomparing the propagation strength and the frequency to knowncharacteristics for: (i) the light emitter that is part of theelectronic device and (ii) the light emitter that is not part of theelectronic device; controlling a function of the electronic device, thefunction selected based at least in part on whether the signal isidentified as originating from the light emitter that is part of theelectronic device or instead from the light emitter that is not part ofthe electronic device.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein theoperations further comprise decoding the received signal based onwhether the signal is identified as originating from the light emitterthat is part of the electronic device or the light emitter that is notpart of the electronic device.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein theidentifying further comprises determining if a user is proximate to theelectronic device by determining whether or not a light reflection isreceived at an input of the light emitter that is part of the electronicdevice.